There is no doubt about the size of Elden Ring. It is the pinnacle of everything that came before, all wrapped up in a world full of nuances, secrets and traditions. The steps FromSoft followed when they made Elden Ring It was phenomenal, included details that fans would love and inserted hidden features that would take years to discover.
Whether you've played the game before or are preparing to take it on before the DLC arrives next month, there's a lot to learn. Much of this could easily be overlooked, so we've got a handy little guide on what you didn't know you could do in Elden Ring.
Marcos I of Torrent
Elden Ring and the games that precede it try to juggle I-Frames (invincibility frames) to negate damage dealt by an enemy. But did you know that your mount, Torrent, provides you with these I-Frames when you get on and off the saddle? Of course, this requires great timing, but what doesn't happen in Elden Ring? So if you're in a pinch and can time it correctly, call up Torrent and take advantage of that slice of invincibility.
Back to where it started
Elden Ring
In the initial opening area where you suffer a programmed death (unless you're a God), you may end up wishing you could go back and teach that creature a lesson. Well you can. It requires a little work, but you can return to that tutorial area for the second round. You will need to place an Imbued Stone Key on the Precipice of Anticipation tower in the Four Bell Towers, which is located on the western edge of Lyurnia of the Lakes.
scared of the flame
This is a tip that surprised me when I heard about it. Animal enemies (wolves, hawks, etc.) are actually afraid of a certain torch. It is called the Beast Repelling Torch and can be purchased from the merchant in Caelid. This is a great way to keep enemies away from you when running through populated areas, saving you from having to stop and kill them, and saving you some time.
Map reading
Elden Ring
Your map is your best friend in Elden Ring and FromSoft, while unfairly cruel at times, has given players excellent advice about the map. For example, if you are looking to find the next section of the map in a dark area, you only need to look on the map for an icon that looks like a pillar. Here you will find the next part of the map. The same goes if you want to mine Smithing Stones: simply look for dark caves surrounded by an orange line on your map and head in that direction.
Round table celebration
At one point in the game, you unlock a new area called Roundtable Hold, where there are a group of NPCs and merchants to talk to. It can be a little tricky to travel there, as the grace site is in the bottom corner of the map. Or you can open your map and scroll to underground grace sites (using R3 on a controller) to instantly select them, saving you time.
Spirit Springs will save you
Elden Ring
You'll have seen the Spirit Springs scattered around the world and the game does a great job of telling you that you can Torrent to launch them into the air with them. However, you can also use them to prevent damage from falls. As long as you call Torrent you will land without losing health at all. You don't even need to land in the middle as the springs are quite forgiving. It's also a great way to quickly explore.
it's raining gold
At certain times during your trip, you will notice that it begins to rain with a golden glow. This usually happens at night and is a sign that you should start killing things. This golden shower will boost your rune acquisition and item discovery. You don't need to do anything different, just kill the enemies as usual and you'll get a small buff. It is not well known how beneficial this is, but it is worth taking advantage of.
Button combination works (in one case)
Elden Ring
As you've probably learned, pressing buttons has no value in Elden Ring and you'll usually end up killing yourself because you're not being tactical. However, in one circumstance, pressing buttons is actually very useful, and that is when an enemy traps you. If you quickly tap the trigger buttons and face buttons on a controller while gripping it, you'll actually let go faster. It's a good job it's my panicked go-to every time this happens.
A visit to Godwin
A good piece of history for those who dig deeper; If you visit Castle Stormveil and delve into the bowels of the castle, you will find a throne waiting for you. It's busy, but thankfully not for something waiting to kill you. It's actually Godwin's head. When he was 'killed', it seems that only his soul was destroyed leaving his body to rot and this is where you can find his head. A lovely touch, if not a little gross.
Sometimes you have to be kind
Elden Ring
There are several missions in Elden Ring which are completed by performing a gesture, and one of those missions involves Boc the Seamster. At one point in his conversation, Boc will tell the tarnished man that he is ugly. Poor Boc, he is constantly harassed, so why not be nice and tell him that he is actually beautiful? By performing this emote using the Prattling Pate item, you can give a nice ending to his short questline.
Featured Image Credit: Bandai Namco
Topics: Bandai Namco, Elden Ring, From the software
